Hydraulic jack



E. ssTRoM March 25, 1947.

HYDRAULIC J ACK 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dec. 16, 1944 TTogNF-Ys March 25,1947. E. sTRoM 2,417,956

HYDRAULIC JACK Filed Dec. 16'. 1944 .2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Mar. 25,1947 Application December 16, 1944, Serial No. 568,438

7. Claims.

This invention relates provements in hydraulic jacks, and moreparticularly to such jacks adapted for use in the automobile industry,although it is to be understood they may be used for various otherpurposes, where applicable.

An object of. the present invention is to provide a hydraulic jack whichis extremely simple and inexpensive in construction and which embodies aminimum of working parts.

A further object of the invention -is to provide a Jack of the classdescribed comprising a main cylinder having a ram mounted for reciprocalmovement therein, and an operating handle mounted for pivotal movement'vwith respect to said cylinder and having a iluid reservoir there-.

in, and a pressure pump being carried by the to new and useful imtheentire apparatus may readily be manufactured in quantity production atextremely low cost; and in the provision of such a Jack wherein allofthe objectionable features now commonly inherent in conventional jacksoi this general type have been substantially eliminated.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the followingdescription and the accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in theannexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structuredesigned to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is-to be understood thatthe invention is not confined to handle andprovided with a piston having an operative connection with a iixedportion of the jack, such as the main cylinder, whereby when the handleis oscillated relative to the cylinder the pump is operated to pump uidfrom the reservoir into the cylinder to raise o'r project the ramtherefrom.

A further and more specific object is to provide a jack of theclassdescribed including an operating handle comprising a reservoir,l -apressure pump, iluidcirculating passages, and a fluid release valve,whereby all of said parts maybe completely assembled in the handle as `aunitary structure, and independently of the lack base and cylinder.

Other objects of the invention reside in the -unique construction of thepump and the operating handle and in the arrangement of the fluidcirculating passages through the pivotal connection between theoperating handle and the jack cylinder; in the yoke provided foroperatively connecting the pump piston to the jack cylinder whereby whenthe operating handle is oscillated the pump piston is operated to pumptluid'from the reservoir into the main cylinder; in the provision of asimple and inexpensive release valve for releasing the pressure fluidfrom the main cylinder, and in the means provided at the outer end ofthe handle for conveniently operating the -release to control the returniiow of the fluid from the cylinder to the reservoir; in the provisionof a :lack of -the class described comprising a pivoted operating handlewhich may readily be folded into a position substantially parallel tothe main cylinder to facilitate storing the jack in a -comparativelysmall space; in the simple construction and arrangement of the valveparts of the jack handle and fluid pump whereby the exact featuresshown, as 'various changes may be made within the scope of the claimswhich follow.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a vertical sectional view through the jack showing thegeneral construction thereof;

Figure 2 is a detail sectional plan view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1,showing the pivotal connection between the operating handle and the maincylinders;

Figure 3 is an elevational view of a portion of the jack to illustratetheoperating means for the pressure pump and Figure 4 is a sectionalplan view substantially on the line l-l of Figure 1.

The novel Jack herein disclosed is shown comprising a suitable base 2provided with a hub or boss 3 having a counterbore therein for receivingthe lower end oi a suitable cylinder l. The lower end oi' the-cylinderis suitably secured in the counterbore provided in the base plate 2 inleaktight relation thereto, whereby the cylinder and base provide ineffect, an integral structure.

The upper end portion 5 of the cylinder I is shown slightly enlarged toreceive a suitable packing i retained in the enlarged end il by apacking nut or gland 1 which may, for convenience, -be received inthreaded engagement-with the upper end portion 5 of the cylinder, asbest illustrated in Figure 1. A suitable plunger or ram 8 ismounted'within the cylinder I, and is shown having its peripheryslightly spaced from the bore of the cylinder 4. The upper end of theram 8 slidably passes through the packing 8 and the lower end of the ramis shown having a head 9 provided with a plurality of peripheralrecesses or flutes Il, as indicated in Figures 1 and 2.' The recesses Ilprovide fluid circulating passages between the annular chamber or spaceI2 provided between the periphery of the ram 8 and the bore of thecylextension I4 whereby a space I3 is provided beneath the head 9 of theram, as shown in Figure 1. The diameter of the extension I4 isrelatively V smaller than the diameter oi: the ram 8 whereby- .thepressure fluid entering'beneath the ram head Q may upwardly move the ramwhen the pressure pump, subsequently to be described, is operated.

A load-engaging member, generally designated by the numeral I5, has itsupper end portion i8l adiustably secured to the upper end of the ram 8by a suitable adjusting screw i1, received in threaded engagement withthe ram 8 and having a swivel connection I8 with the oiIset end portionIl of the load-engaging member I5. The adjusting screw i1 operativelyconnects the loadinder 4. 'Ihe ram 8 is shown having a reduced .l

nated by the numeral 45. The tubixlar member 32 secured to the head 29provides the reservoir 44, and the forked head 29v is shown providedwith an oiset portion 48 bored to provide a pump cylinder 41, whichpreferably is arranged in parvalve 58 mounted therein and normallyclosing a duct 54 provided in the piston 4head 49. One

end of the duct 54 is in communication with a cross duct 55 in the pumppiston 48, as shown yin Figure 3, which connects the duct with theV pumpcylinder 41. AThe pump cylinder is in con-A engaging member |5 to theram 8 and provides means whereby the load-engaging member I5 may berelatively adjusted with respect to the upper end of the ram, thereby toextend the range of lift ofthe jack. Y 4

, To furtherextend the usefulness of the jack,

.the load-engaging member i5 is shown provided stood by reference toFigure: l. The lower end portion of the load-engagingimember I5 extendsinwardly, as shown at 22 in Figure l, to engage the outer surface of themain cylinder, thereby to provide a support for the depending portion 2|of the load-engaging member I5 when said member is engaged with a load.

A suitable operating handle, generally designated by the numeral 22, isshown plvotally connected to the wall of the main cylinder 4 by sultablepivot studs 24 and 25. The stud 24 passes through an aperture 25 inafork 21 of the operating handle 23 and is received in threadedengagement with a tting or pivot element 28, suitably secured to thewall of the cylinder 4. as by brazing or welding.

The fork 21 of the operating handle is 'shown integrally formed with aforked head, generally designated by the numeral 2l and having a bore 8ltherein for receiving one end of a tubular member 32, which constitutesthe operating handle 23.

The forked head 29 has a complementary fork 88 provided with acounterbore 84 normally sealed by a suitable cap 35, received inthreaded engagement with the wall of the counterbore 14, as

threaded engagement with the fitting 28 in axial alignment with' thestud 24. The pivot stud 25 further has an enlarged head or ange 38received in the counterbore and providing a seat for a suitable packingcup 31, secured to the stud 25 by a suitable washer 88 and lock nut 39,the latter being received in threaded engagement with the reduced endportion 4i of the stud 25.

A fluid duct42 is provided 'inlthe stud 25 and communicates with aninclined duct 43 provided in the iltting 28. The passage 43 extendsthrough the wall of the cylinder 4 and cooperates with the duct 42 toestablish communication between the annular space I2 in the cylinderwall and the counterbore 34 in the head 29.

An important object of the present invention resides in the constructionof the operating handie 23 which embodies a fluid reservoir 44 and aduid circulating pressure pump. generally desigstant communication withthe fluid reservoir 44 throlugh anenlarged passa ge .58, shownv inFigure .A fluid circulating passage 51 establishes communication betweenthe adjacent end of the pump cylinder 41 and a valve chamber 58 having aspring-actuated check valve 59 therein which normally closes the iluidcirculating passage 51 leading from the pump cylinder 41. A connectingpassage 5i establishes communication between the valve chamber 58 andthe counterbore 84, as shown in Figure 2. In this ligure the check valve59 and its complementary spring have been removed from the valve chamber58 to more clearly disclose the fluid circulating passages, as will beunderstood.

Another important feature of the invention resides in the means providedfor operating the tion of the pump piston 48 by a suitable pivot pin orbolt .54. The opposite ends of the links 88 of the yoke 82 are plvotallyconnected to the wall of the main cylinder 4 by suitable pivot elements85, shown fixed to the wall of the cylinder 4, as

indicated in Figure 4. The pivot elements are located at an elevationabove the pivotal connection between the operating handle 23 and themain cylinder 4, whereby when the handle is swung upwardly from theposition shown in Figure l, the pump piston 48 will be moved upwardly oroutwardly in the cylinder 41, as will be understood by reference toFigure 3, thereby creating a vacuum in the lower portion 66 of the-pumpcylinder whereby a portion of the pressure fluid or liquid is drawn fromthe reservoir through check valve 53 into the cylinder portion 66, asindicated by the arrows in Figure 3. During such upward movement of theoperating handle, the check valve 59 will seal the passage 51 betweenthe pump cylinder and valve chamber 58. When the operating handle isthrust downwardly the pump piston is forced in a direction towards themain rcylinder 4, whereby the duid drawn into the end portion of thepump cylinder will be forced upwardly past the check valve 59, throughthe valve chamber 58 andpassage 6i into the counterbore 84,1`rom wher. eit is forced through passages 42 and 43 into .ilc annular space orchamber I2 provided between the ram 8 and cylinder wall 4.

head 9 and thereby cause the ram to be thrust The fluid thus pumped intothe annular chamber l2 will enter beneath the ram prising a needle valve61 engage a seat 68 to prevent fluid .flow through a duct 69 connectingthe valve chamber 58 with the reservoir MV provided within the handle32. The needle valve 6l has a valve stem 1I which is threaded asindicated at 12, whereby the valve stem 1l may be secured to the forkedhead 29 in position to close the release port 69, as will be understoodby reference to Figures 1 and 2.- The opposite end of the valve stem 1Ipasses through a head 13 secured to the outer end of the tubular member32 0f the handle.' A suitable packing 1t prevents leakage between thestem 1| and head 13. A packing4 gland 15 retains the packinginpump-having a piston, and means connecting the pump piston with a fixedportion of the jack whereby oscillation of the handle relative to thecylinder will actuate the piston to'y pump fluid from the reservoir intothe cylinder to'v project the ram from the cylinder.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, a I

cylinder, a plunger or ram mounted in the cylinder, an operating handlepivoted to the wall of the cylinder, a uid reservoir, a fluidcirculating pump in the handle provided with a piston, a fluidcirculating passage between the pump and reservoir, a valve controlledpassage between place in the head 13. A suitable hand grip 16 is securedto the end portion 11 of' the valve stem 'il whereby the stem mayreadily be rotated to unseat the needle valve 61 from `its seat 68.

When the operating handle is oscillated to pump fluid into the maincylinder to lift the load, the needle valve v61 is engaged with the seat68 and when it is desired to release the pressure inexpensive operatingmechanism for operating the pump piston by oscillation of the Jackhandie 23. In Figure 1 I have shown the pump l cated at the lower sideof the operating handle -in which position the end portions 18 of thelegs of the yoke ti. are pivotally connected to the main cylinder It atari-'elevation above the pivotal connection between the operatinghandle' and the main cylinder. Obviously, the `pump cylinder could beotherwise located without departing from the scope oi the invention solong as its location is such that oscillation of the pump hancile willimpart reciprocal movement to the pump piston to pump the pressure fluidfrom the reser voir to the main cylinder.

It will be apparent to those skilled in theart that I have accomplishedat least the principal objects of my invention, and it will also beapparent to those skilled in the artthat' the embodiments hereindescribed may be variously changed and modified without departing fromthe spirit of the invention, and that the invention is capable of usesand has advantages not herein specifically described; hence it will beappreciated that the herein disclosed embodiments are The i pumpoperating yoke provides a very simple and v for pivotal movement `withrespect to the cylinder I the pump and said cylinder, a member havingone end connected to the pump piston and its opposite end to. a fixedportion of the jack whereby the pump piston maybe actuated by oscilla.-tion of the handle relative to the cylinder, there.- by to pump fluidfrom the reservoir into the cylinder to project the ram from thecylinder, and

means carried by the handle for releasing the pressure fluid from thecylinder. i

3. In a hydraulic jack, a main cylinder mounted on a suitable base,a rammounted for reciprocal movement therein, an operating handle mounted forpivotal movement with respect to the cylinder and having a uid reservoirtherein, a pump cylinder secured to the operating handle and offset fromthe axis of the handle, a iiuid passage connecting the pump to thereservoir, a piston in .the pump cylinder having one end projectingtherefrom, a. valve Vcontrolled iiuid passage between the pump cylinderand the main cylinder, and means operatively connecting the projectingend of the pump piston witha fixed portion of the -jack wherebyoscillation of the handle will actuate the piston to pump fluid from thereservoir into the main cylinder to. project the ram therefrom.

4. In a hydraulic jack, a main cylinder, a.

ram mounted for reciprocal movement in said cylinder and having one endprojecting` from the top of thecylinder, an operating handle mounted andhaving a fluid reservoir therein, a pump cylinder secured to theoperating handle and offset from the axis thereof, a uid passage consagebetween the pump cylinder and the main illustrative only, and that myinvention is not l 4limited thereto.

cylinder, and a pump operating link having one end pivotally connectedto' the pump piston and its opposite end to the main cylinder wherebywhen the operating handle is oscillated relative to the main cylinder,the piston is operated to pump fluid from the reservoir to the maincylinder to project the ram therefrom.

5. In a hydraulic jack, a cylinder, a ram mount- .edfor reciprocalmovement in the cylinder, an operating handle mounted for pivotalmovement with respect to the cylinder and having a uid reservoirtherein, a pump cylinder secured to the operating handle and offset fromthe axis there; of, a'uid passage connecting the pump cylinder to thereservoir, a piston in .the pump cylinder having one end projectingtherefrom, a valve controlled passage between the pump cylinder and themain cylinder, a pump operating yoke having one end pivotally connectedto the pump piston and its opposite end to the main cylinder atanlelevation above the pivotal mounting of the handle whereby when theoperating handle is oscillated relative to the main cylinder, the pistonis operated to pump fluid from the reservoir'to the main cylinder toproject the ram therefrom, a, fluid release port in the handle, a valvefor closing said port, and means at the end of the operating handlewhereby theV uid release' valve may be conveniently operated to controlreturn flow of the'iuid from the main cylinder to the reservoir. Y l

6. In a hydraulicjack, a suitable base havin an upright cylinder securedthereto, a ram in said cylinder, an operating handle pivotally mountedon said cylinder and having a reservoir therein, an inelastic pressureliquid in the reservoir, a pressure pump in the handle adjacentto thepivotal connection between the handle and said cylinder, said pumpcomprising a piston disposed in substantially parallel relation to theaxis of the handle, a valve controlled passage connecting the pump withthe interior of the cylinder through said pivotal connection, a pumpoperating yoke having one end pivotally connected to the pump piston andits opposite end to the jack cylinder, whereby when the handle isoscillated with respect to the cylinder, the piston is operated to pumpliquid from the reservoir into'said cylinder to project the ramtherefrom, a liquid release valve within said handle,

the jack. I 7. In a hydraulic jack, a base, an upright cylinder havingone end secured thereto in leaktight relation, a ram in said cylinder,an operating handle mounted for pivotal movement with lrespect to thecylinder, said handle comprising an elongated tubular member providingareservoir,

an inelastic pressure liquid in said reservoir, a pressure pump in thelower portion of the handle including a, piston laterally offset fromthe axis of said handle, a valve-controlled passage connecting the pumpwith the interior of the cylinder through the pivotal connection betweenthe handle and said cylinder, a member having one end connected to thepump piston and its opposite end to the jack cylinder wherebyoscillation of the handle will operate the pump, a release valve forreleasing the pressure liduid from the cylinder to lower the Jack, andan |operating member for said release valve, said reservoir, pump,release4 valve and valve operating member being embodied in theconstruction of the handle, whereby all of said parts may be assembledas a unitary structure independently of the jack cylinder and base.

ERNEST STROM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record ln the lle o'fthis patent:

`UNrrEn STATES PA'rEN'rs Number Name Date 1,667,759 White May 1, 1928-1,665,633 McDonell Apr. 10, 1928

